Arizona already has a "stupid motorist law," which holds a driver liable for any rescue expenses incurred if he or she decides to ignore traffic barricades and enter a flooded roadway. A hiking counterpart would recoup city funds and possibly make amateur hikers think twice before taking on advanced trails without adequate supplies, some argue.

Phoenix, which is home to the lion's share of the Valley's trail system, has toyed with the idea of charging for hiking mishaps, but has run into legal and safety road blocks. This week, a City Council subcommittee killed the idea before formal discussions even began.

"(City staff has) convinced me that we cannot have a stupid hiker law, that there are legitimate rescues and that we need to continue it, so I will back off," said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who suggested a city ordinance of the topic.

Heather Blanche (right) of Gilbert, leads family members (from right) Taylor Kappus of Philadelphia, Tom Kappus of Washington, N.J., and Tracey Kappus, also of Washington, N.J., for a hike on the San Tan Trail in the San Tan Mountain Regional Park outside of Queen Creek on November 13, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Mitch Keith of Cleveland, Ohio, and Claire Orman of Tempe, hike along the Picketpost Summit Trail to the top of Picketpost Mountain in the Tonto National Forest outside of Superior on November 13, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Saguaros stands before Picketpost Mountain along the Picketpost Summit Trail to the top of Picketpost Mountain in the Tonto National Forest outside of Superior on November 13, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Saguaros stands before Picketpost Mountain along the Picketpost Summit Trail to the top of Picketpost Mountain in the Tonto National Forest outside of Superior on November 13, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Jon Houf of Scottsdale and Jessica Sedei of Scottsdale, hike along the Picketpost Summit Trail to the top of Picketpost Mountain in the Tonto National Forest outside of Superior on November 13, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Karren Hatch of Queen Creek, looks on, on the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

The Siphon Draw Trail starting from the Lost Dutchman State Park leads to the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Arlen Frye of Phoenix, hikes down the route from the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Hikers hike the Siphon Draw Trail starting from the Lost Dutchman State Park which leads to the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Cacti are seen along the Siphon Draw Trail starting from the Lost Dutchman State Park which leads to the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

The Siphon Draw Trail starting from the Lost Dutchman State Park leads to the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. David Wallace/The Republic

Lynn Lobdell of San Tan Valley (left) and Karren Hatch of Queen Creek, hike the route to the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Karren Hatch of Queen Creek, hikes the route to the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Karren Hatch of Queen Creek, looks on while resting during a hike to the top of the Flatiron (seen in background) in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

A hiker is seen on the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Karren Hatch of Queen Creek, looks on, on the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona Republic staff photographer David Wallace takes a selfie on the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Blain Askew of Phoenix, hikes along the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains in the Superstition Wilderness Area outside of Apache Junction on November 16, 2017. The route begins long the Siphon Draw Trail in the Lost Dutchman State Park and climbs 3000 vertical feet to the top of the Flatiron. David Wallace/The Republic

Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said there's no way to quantify how much mountain rescues costtaxpayers.

He said firefighters are working across the city 24 hours per day, seven days per week, ready to take calls ranging from house fires and medical emergencies to mountain rescues. The department doesn't break down cost by type of call, McDade said.

McDade said the fire department views mountain rescues as part of its customer service obligation to taxpayers and anticipates such costs in its annual budget.

"It's part of the cost of doing business," McDade said.

When an air evacuation is needed, the fire department calls in the police department and its helicopters. Police Sgt. Jon Howard said it costs an average of $1,000 per hour to fly a helicopter, and rescues typically take just under an hour. That price does not include personnel or maintenance costs.

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He said there would be several challenges involved with implementing a mandatory hiker card because unlike state parks, which require an entry fee, Phoenix's trail system has many entrance and exit points.

Bach also suggested there would be some pushback from residents if the city began charging to use the trails since voters have already approved a sales tax specifically for parks and preserves.

"It's a free amenity for residents of the entire Valley, and it's obviously a very popular amenity for tourists," he said.

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Public safety and parks officials said the hardest part about charging for mountain rescues would be defining when someone qualifies as a "stupid hiker."

Officials said there are many experienced hikers that get into a bad situation or slip and sprain their ankles, requiring assistance.

"How could you look at it and say, 'that was somebody that wasn't being a responsible hiker?' That's the part that would be difficult," Bach said.

Mark Miller, president of the Arizona Hiking and Travel Club, said he's seen hikers — many of whom are from out of town and may not understand the seriousness of the Valley's heat — make bad decisions and put themselves in dangerous situations.

But charging them for their rescues? That's a "slippery slope," he said.

"If we decided to start charging people for doing dumb things I suppose I'd have to pay for something at some point," Miller said.

Take a hike. Do it right.

CLOSE

Hiking tips from a City of Phoenix park ranger, to help those using the city's desert mountain trails to stay safe. Alicia Gonzales / azcentral.com | The Republic April 14, 2016
Alicia Gonzales / azcentral.com | The Republic

Miller, 67, said he hikes three or four times a week with a small group of hikers, even in the summer. He said there's a plethora of signage and information out there to educate people, but sometimes they don't listen.

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One of the best times for hiking is at sunset just after a storm breaks. This is the Siphon Draw end of the Superstition Mountains as seen from Lost Dutchman State Park north of Apache Junction. Dave Seibert/The Republic

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is home to the world's largest travertine bridge. The park is open daily through the end of November; check online for dates after that. Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

An American coot paddles across Roper Lake. Visitors come to Roper Lake State Park, just 5 miles south of Safford, to camp, fish, swim, picnic and hike."The Island," a popular picnic spot in the park, is in the background. The Arizona Republic

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, about 14 miles north of Payson, has picnic facilities and three hiking trails that provide views of the impressive travertine arch from above and below. Alyson Zepeda/Cronkite News Service